RB T.Bell Wants To Be "The Guy"

[Dog Face Gremlins211 0]

Bell declares he should move up to become Broncos' No.1 back

Joe Mahoney © News

 

Broncos running back Tatum Bell rushed for 921 yards and eight touchdowns last season, averaging 5.3 yards a carry. But a chest injury in mid-November limited his production during the second half of the season. Now, with Mike Anderson gone, the third-year player says he's ready to be the No. 1 running back.

ENGLEWOOD - Scanning the assembly line of yardage-munching backs the Denver Broncos have sent out against opposing defenses through the years, coach Mike Shanahan always has enjoyed having big-play potential.

 

And reliability.

 

And durability.

 

And somebody who will compete for those game-day carries all through the week.

 

So, consider Tatum Bell's hand raised. Again.

 

"I feel like I can do all that," Bell said Wednesday during the first day of the team's six-day minicamp at the Dove Valley complex. "I feel like I can be the man. . . . This year, I am not taking no for an answer. If I stay healthy, I feel like I'll be the man, that's just how I see it."

 

Even though it is Bell's third spring with the Broncos, his hope to be the team's lug-the-rock-every-down running back still springs eternal.

 

And his battle, once again, is against:

 

• A roster that has another candidate for the job - this time, Ron Dayne.

 

• The pressure of playing in a system that has made the Broncos the league's leading rushing team since the start of the 1995 season (25,022 yards), no matter who is carrying the ball.

 

• The perception he can stay healthy enough to be more than a situational runner, the change-of-pace speed back who gets, as Shanahan has said, only "10 to 12 carries a game."

 

During his injury-troubled rookie season of 2004, Bell found himself behind Quentin Griffin, Garrison Hearst and, after both of those players were injured, Reuben Droughns.

 

Last season, Bell shared time with Dayne as Mike Anderson's backup after Anderson had a spectacular training camp.

 

"It's me and Dayne right now," Bell said. "It's really up for grabs. Last year, they just gave it to Mike. I really didn't have a chance, but this year, I feel like I've got a better chance to be the man. . . .

 

"I don't want to say they gave it to him, but it was just like, 'Mike, you're No. 1; (Tatum), you're No. 2, period.' There wasn't any (competition) regardless of what I did. This year, I feel it's wide open."

 

Bell was held back in his quest to climb the depth chart in 2004 because of a few injuries, including hamstring, thumb and ankle, that kept him off the practice field several times during the season.

 

In 2005, the Broncos gave Anderson the dirt-under-the-fingernails carries while Bell, one of the fastest backs available in the 2004 draft, was sprinkled in as needed.

 

As a result, Bell did not have more than 15 carries in a game until mid-November and didn't have more than 17 carries in a game all season.

 

Still, he finished with 921 yards, eight rushing touchdowns - three were longer than 20 yards - and a 5.3-yards-per-carry average.

 

"I know there is a lot of talk about how it doesn't matter who starts because we're both going to split time," Bell said. "But I don't want it to be like that. I want to be the guy, come out when I need a blow. . . . I would like those carries."

 

But at the league meetings in March, Shanahan said he would be inclined to evenly divide the workload in the backfield in 2006 if no one snatched the job outright. Then, after the April draft, Shanahan said had the Broncos stayed with the No. 15 pick, they likely would have selected University of Minnesota running back Laurence Maroney.

 

Some have pointed to the fact Bell averaged more than 5 yards a carry in five of the Broncos' first eight games last season, then, in the final eight games, averaged more than 5 yards a carry only once - against the Kansas City Chiefs.

 

Five of the games during the season's second half came after Bell suffered a chest injury Nov. 20 against the New York Jets. Bell said Wednesday the injury, which also kept him out of the Thanksgiving game in Dallas, prevented him from lifting weights as much as he normally would down the stretch.

 

He finished the season at 203 pounds after starting at 213. He said he tipped the scales at 208 on Wednesday and hopes to enter training camp in July at 213.

 

"I look at Warrick Dunn, I'm bigger than him," Bell said with a smile. "(Clinton) Portis is probably my size. There are still some backs out there my size that get all the carries. (The 5-foot-8 Griffin) even had a couple 20-carry games. I don't know what's wrong with me."

 

But when the Broncos released Anderson early during the off-season, then moved up in the first round to select Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler instead of a running back, Bell thought he might finally be moving to the front of the line.

 

Then, he saw in May the work he still had left to do.

 

"When I heard the news about Mike, and then when we didn't get another running back, I was like, 'Oh, yeah, that's all I need,' " Bell said. "But come quarterback camp, it was, 'Dayne, you go with the first group.' I didn't say nothing, but I was like, 'Ahh, here we go again.'

 

"We were second in the league (rushing) last year rotating, so we should be in the top five again if we rotate. But I feel like I can be in the top five if I get those carries (laughs). I'm really just going to crank it up a notch."

 

SECOND INTERVIEW: Broncos assistant general manager Rick Smith today will interview in Houston for a second time for the Texans' general manager vacancy. Smith initially interviewed last month in Houston.

 

Reggie McKenzie, the Green Bay Packers' director of pro personnel, also is expected to have a second interview in Houston. Texans owner Bob McNair likely will introduce the team's new general manager next week.

 

 

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/...4741686,00.html

[Mack 1 6]

Bell has great fantasy potential, but since Portis' departure, the Broncos' RB situation has been a serious guessing game. I've consciously stayed away from that soap opera the past two years and my sanity remains intact because of it.

[WTROUT 0]

See last line.....

 

Today, we salute you Mr. Three Running Back Drafter.

(High-pitched singer): Mister Three Running Back Dra-af-ter!

(Deep voice): You believe in drafting your third back, before getting your first wide receiver.

(HPS) Gotta be ready for the bye weeks.

(HPS) Mister Three Running Back Dra-af-ter!

(DV) You make it miserable for the rest of us, because you just keep drafting backs.

(HPS) Gonna use them all as trade bait.

(DV) So here's to you, Mr. Three Running Back Drafter. You'll never get burned by taking Terrell Owens, because you're too busy drafting Tatum Bell.

[Jarvis Basnight 119]

Bell has great fantasy potential, but since Portis' departure, the Broncos' RB situation has been a serious guessing game. I've consciously stayed away from that soap opera the past two years and my sanity remains intact because of it.

 

 

Portis was the total package and Shanahan knew it which is why Portis was the guy. Bell doesn't have what Portis has and never will. Bell = speed, and that's it. He's not that great and Shanahan has shown absolutely no confidence in him.

 

This article is the same tripe Bell was regurgitating last year. Sure, he wants it. Big deal. This isn't newsworthy.

 

Are there any Denver homers here? From what you know about Shanahan, the Denver system, and the Rb's available.....who's going to get the bulk of the carries?

 

My $$$ is on Dayne. I believe Dayne will be better than Anderson last year and Bell may actually see less playing time than last year.

[Belushi 9]

Portis was the total package and Shanahan knew it which is why Portis was the guy. Bell doesn't have what Portis has and never will. Bell = speed, and that's it. He's not that great and Shanahan has shown absolutely no confidence in him.

 

This article is the same tripe Bell was regurgitating last year. Sure, he wants it. Big deal. This isn't newsworthy.

 

Are there any Denver homers here? From what you know about Shanahan, the Denver system, and the Rb's available.....who's going to get the bulk of the carries?

 

My $$$ is on Dayne. I believe Dayne will be better than Anderson last year and Bell may actually see less playing time than last year.

 

I don't see any change this year. Anderson/Bell combined for 2,000 yards last year. Insert Dayne, who I think could be better than Anderson, and you've got one of the league's top rushing offences. Why risk it by giving Bell 20 carries a game, and then risking him to injury for the second half of the season? Can't see any reason why Shanny would change things from last year, unless Dayne totally flops. And in that offence, I doubt he will.

[Parkers99 0]

See last line.....

 

Today, we salute you Mr. Three Running Back Drafter.

(High-pitched singer): Mister Three Running Back Dra-af-ter!

(Deep voice): You believe in drafting your third back, before getting your first wide receiver.

(HPS) Gotta be ready for the bye weeks.

(HPS) Mister Three Running Back Dra-af-ter!

(DV) You make it miserable for the rest of us, because you just keep drafting backs.

(HPS) Gonna use them all as trade bait.

(DV) So here's to you, Mr. Three Running Back Drafter. You'll never get burned by taking Terrell Owens, because you're too busy drafting Tatum Bell.

 

 

[unckeyherb 2]

See last line.....

 

Today, we salute you Mr. Three Running Back Drafter.

(High-pitched singer): Mister Three Running Back Dra-af-ter!

(Deep voice): You believe in drafting your third back, before getting your first wide receiver.

(HPS) Gotta be ready for the bye weeks.

(HPS) Mister Three Running Back Dra-af-ter!

(DV) You make it miserable for the rest of us, because you just keep drafting backs.

(HPS) Gonna use them all as trade bait.

(DV) So here's to you, Mr. Three Running Back Drafter. You'll never get burned by taking Terrell Owens, because you're too busy drafting Tatum Bell.

 

thanks I have to leave work now, because I peed all over myself.

[xxx 0]

Insert Dayne, who I think could be better than Anderson

 

I fail to see how. Please elaborate.

[t.j 35]

Of course Bell wants to be the man. Who doesn't? Non-story.

 

I fail to see how. Please elaborate.

 

How can you fail to see how? Who was Anderson before he was a Bronco?

[Dan 66]

Of course Bell wants to be the man. Who doesn't? Non-story.

How can you fail to see how? Who was Anderson before he was a Bronco?

 

One can almost say the same thing about Ron Dayne.

[t.j 35]

One can almost say the same thing about Ron Dayne.

 

Almost. So what was so great about Anderson that Dayne couldn't possibly be better?

[Belushi 9]

One can almost say the same thing about Ron Dayne.

 

No, Dayne was a Heisman trophy winner who had success in a similar type of blocking scheme in college, that's who he was.

 

And no, I'm not predicting great success because of his college career, before everyone comes on slamming me about how he's done nothing since then. It's because of his situation that I think he'll do well.

[TD Ryan2 316]

Almost. So what was so great about Anderson that Dayne couldn't possibly be better?

 

Mike Anderson was an unknown commodity, a rookie that had never played a down in the NFL.

- it was difficult (near impossible) to have an informed opinion on him one way or the other.

 

Ron Dayne is a 7 year veteran who's showed that he can't perform at a high level in the NFL.

- he has a track record of failing along with a track record of pre season hype surrounding him.

[Belushi 9]

Mike Anderson was an unknown commodity, a rookie that had never played a down in the NFL.

- it was difficult (near impossible) to have an informed opinion on him one way or the other.

 

Ron Dayne is a 7 year veteran who's showed that he can't perform at a high level in the NFL.

- he has a track record of failing along with a track record of pre season hype surrounding him.

 

Really? When's he ever had a chance to be the #1 RB? He was out of shape and had a bad work ethic early in his career. It sounds like he may have matured now and is taking things seriously.

[t.j 35]

Mike Anderson was an unknown commodity, a rookie that had never played a down in the NFL.

- it was difficult (near impossible) to have an informed opinion on him one way or the other.

 

I wasn't asking what was so great about Anderson pre-Denver. I was asking what was so great about Anderson, period. He was tough to bring down and that's about it. He's wasn't a special player as NFL backs go. People act like Dayne is devoid of talent because he didn't live up to his first-round expectations. But that's not the case. You put the right guy on the right team, and their career can take off.

[xxx 0]

It sounds like he may have matured now and is taking things seriously.

Im not slamming anyone. I have seen a lot of hype on the boards about Dayne, and I dont know why so Im asking. Once again not slamming, but what makes you say that it sounds like he is taking things seriously and hes matured now?

 

People act like Dayne is devoid of talent because he didn't live up to his first-round expectations

 

I dont think anyone knocked his talent but rather his work ethic. Now its seven years later and its hard for me to see how he will change.

[Savage Beast 1]

You put the right guy on the right team, and their career can take off.

 

[Belushi 9]

Im not slamming anyone. I have seen a lot of hype on the boards about Dayne, and I dont know why so Im asking. Once again not slamming, but what makes you say that it sounds like he is taking things seriously and hes matured now?

I dont think anyone knocked his talent but rather his work ethic. Now its seven years later and its hard for me to see how he will change.

 

I think the fact that he came to camp in good shape last year indicates his maturity, and that he's starting to realize what it takes to succeed at this level. I don't know the guy personally, but I don't think Shanny would put much confidence in him if he had a lazy work ethic (see what happened to Tatum Bell in his first year).

[ellisonb11 0]

of course he wants to be the man. it could make his career. the o-line could make a star out of anyone. i could be a star with them.

[adam smitty 0]

If he cant pass Dayne on the depth chart he has some problems. There is no reason this kid isnt starting and getting a majority of carries by week 3.

[Gepetto 1,367]

Same thing he said last year. FYI: Both Dayne and Tatum Bell are not running backs you want on your fantasy team. Broncos should have kept Portis.

[Vince44 205]

I want no part of the Denver RBBC.

[Super Cubs 154]

I thought Kubiak was doing he play calling in Denver.